Natasha Rayne
Assistant Professor
UW Madison Soil Fertility Extension Specialist
nrayne@wisc.edu | 608.262.6677 | Google Scholar | Linkedin
Hi, I am Natasha Rayne. I graduated with a BS in Agronomy from the Anton de Kom University of Suriname. Following graduation, I worked in agriculture in various capacities, including as a Project Coordinator at an NGO working with subsistence farmers. Following this, I pursued and earned my master’s degree in Plant and Soil Science, followed by my Ph.D. in Soil Science at Oklahoma State University. After earning my Ph.D., I joined the faculty at UW River Falls (UWRF), where I taught various soils courses, including Introduction to Soil Science, Soil Fertility, and Soil Microbiology, and supervised many research projects. In January 2024, I joined the Soil & Environmental Science Department at UW Madison, where my research focuses on manure and nutrient availability in cropping systems, crop canopy sensors and variable rate technology, and nitrogen management in small grains and forages.
My research focuses on three areas:
1. Manure and nutrient availability in cropping systems.
2. Crop canopy sensors and variable rate technology.
3. Nitrogen management in small grains and forages
Michael Moul
Soil Technician
Soil Technician for Rayne-Lab in the CALS/SOIL Science department. Graduate of Ripon College, majoring in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Economics. After graduating from Ripon College, he obtained a secondary bachelor’s degree in Health & Wellness administration from Purdue Global. His interest in soil began at a young age, as he grew up working on his father’s small cattle/cash cropping farm in Wisconsin, to which he still has an active role in managing. He hopes to build and contribute to the knowledge of soil and its properties in his time with the lab. In his free time, he trains and participates in varies running adventures such as marathons and obstacle course events.
Students
Brendan Baird
Brendan joined the Rayne Lab in May of 2024, looking to do more in the plant sciences field. Currently, he is pursuing a degree in horticulture, but graduated from UW-Madison in the spring of 2023 with a degree in Economics. Brendan is looking to continue working in the lab while pursuing an MS in Soil Science starting in the summer of 2025.
Oluwatoyin Funmilola Ogayemi
Oluwatoyin is a doctoral student at the Rayne Soil Fertility Lab. Her research focuses on nitrogen credits from manure, soil nutrient dynamics, and characterization of soil organic matter, with the goal of improving soil fertility through sustainable approaches. Beyond her studies, she enjoys adventure and singing
Elise Kruse
Elise joined the Rayne Lab in June 2025 and is a junior at UW-Madison studying Environmental Science with a certificate in Public Policy. She is interested in how policy can be used to address topics such as increasing renewable energy use and water conservation. In addition, she helps students navigate voting on campus and enjoys biking around Lake Monona.
Allison Wong
Allison joined the Rayne Lab in August 2025, entering her senior year at UW-Madison. She is majoring in Environmental Science and Global Health, and she is interested in the relationship planetary health has with human health. In her free time, she likes to crochet, read, and watercolor!
Ellen Zhang
Ellen joined the Rayne Lab in August 2025, and is a sophomore at UW-Madison studying sociology and economics. She’s interested in the impact of race and gender on social class and power. Outside of class, she enjoys photography, sewing, and playing viola.
Chenxi(Sherry) Xia
Sherry is double-majoring in Computer Sci and Information Sci, with minors in Mathematics and Digital Arts at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She joined the Lab in Fall 2024 and works as a Web Designer, where she designed the lab logo, maintains the website, and captures photos during field trials. Beyond her work, Sherry enjoys drawing and spending time with her cat.